B.
A Canterbury Landscape
Behind the scenes
The Gallery recently received a stunning painting by Archibald Nicoll which was bequeathed by Osborne Alfred (Alf) Taylor late last year.
Viewing the work with its original frame in the Gallery's store recently drove home just how much I (and I'm sure many of the Gallery's visitors) miss viewing historical art in this town since the earthquakes closed the Gallery.
Nicoll favoured the use of roads in his paintings and in this work the motif is used to good effect leading the viewer as it does off into the distant landscape. But the title gives nothing away as to the actual location of the scene... I'm thinking Geraldine Downs possibly? In any case it makes a very welcome addition to the collection and I'm sure Alf would be pleased to know that it will be enjoyed by Gallery visitors in the future.
Archibald Nicoll A Canterbury Landscape c.1928. Oil on canvas. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Osborne Alfred (Alf) Taylor Bequest 2012
Related
Collection
Archibald Nicoll A Canterbury landscape
Having lost his leg while fighting on the Somme during World War I, Archibald Nicoll was confined to painting landscapes in close proximity to where he was able to drive. This is why so many of his landscapes have roads as a central motif. Rather than a hindrance, however, Nicoll put his car to good use and revelled in the freedom it offered, driving all over Canterbury to paint. He would often combine painting excursions with family holidays. The scene in this work is thought to be Balcairn Downs inland from the town of Amberley in North Canterbury.